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Start Dahlia tubers in pots and keep them in a light frost-free place until planting out time in early June. Try to get them up to a foot in height, because then they will be less attractive to the slugs.

Val Bourne
- Garden Writer

Position: full sun

Soil: fertile, humus-rich soil

Rate of growth: average

Flowering period: July to September

Flower colour: magenta-pink

Other features: excellent cut-flowers

Hardiness: half hardy (may need winter protection)

A glorious dark-leaved dahlia, which will produce a prolific and very showy display of vibrant flowers from midsummer. The contrast between the magenta-pink blooms and purple flushed foliage is brilliant and is particularly useful for adding a colourful twist to the planting scheme.

Garden care: Dahlia tubers can be planted outside after frost, or started off in pots under glass in late winter to early spring. Plant them horizontally approximately 12cm deep, making sure the ‘eyes’ are uppermost. Allow enough room between each tuber so the plants can grow and spread to their full size without being over-crowded. While in growth, provide a high-nitrogen liquid feed each week in June, then a high-potash fertiliser each week from July to September. Stake with canes or brushwood if it becomes necessary. In mild areas, leave them in situ over winter, but protect the crown with a generous layer of dry mulch. In colder areas, carefully lift and clean the tubers once the first frosts have blackened the foliage and allow them to dry naturally indoors. Then place the dry tubers in a shallow tray, just covered with slightly moist potting compost, sand or vermiculite and store in a frost-free place until planting out again.

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